Pneumatic Tires
Most tires used in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires enabled the invention of pneumatic tires that allowed for a more comfortable ride. The world's contemporary transportation system relies completely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like for instance buses, cars, trucks, motorcycles and airplanes all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like for instance bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started following the creation or iron bands used around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that the utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" started to describe tires.
Seven years later, in the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a leading manufacturer of tires for automobiles. The very first United States company to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second company in the US to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires in the first part of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of reinforced layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to define the tire's shape and strengthen it. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been constructed with plies that run across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not required since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in the year 1948. The tires did not become commonly utilized until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.